Drew,
This is very interesting and I would love to see the results of their analysis. I would also like to talk to them about the capabilities of their testing process. Still, I am skeptical about the value of the results, due to the expected alloy sharing that happens at welding heat. Guess I would just have to see the numbers before I could trust that they were valid. I think that I could make a semi-educated guess about the materials used, and come as close to being correct as the results from lab testing forge welded steels.
Over a year ago, I gave samples of the barrel tube that I have to a couple guys that I know through knifemaking circles. One guy thought that he could get it professionally analyzed for me; the other has a small metallurgical lab in his shop. Haven't heard back from either of them. Guess I should rattle their cages and see if they have done anything with the samples. Hate to bug them too much, as I was asking a favor to have the testing done on the cheap.
